Spending a cold, snowy November Saturday at Jones College Prep for the Mikva Challenge Project Soapbox speech event was an inspiring experience. More than 250 high school students came out and gave the world a piece of their minds in 2-minute speeches on policy issues that fire them up. Estefani Armenta, a junior at Benito Juarez High School, reminded me…
Preventing Sexual Abuse in Schools Starts With Training and Reducing Shame and Fear
We see the headlines about the new Title IX Office in CPS. The background checks. The handful of firings. But it’s harder to see what changes in culture are happening to stop sexual assault in schools. Back in the summer, I talked with experts about what CPS is doing to protect students. Today, I want to talk about what I’m…
Here’s Why I Sold My House So My Transgender Son Could Attend An Affirming High School
I’m the father of a transgender child. Since 2014, my child’s preferred name has been Dave. One high school he attended affirmed his identity; the other did not. The difference affected Dave’s physical safety, mental health and academic achievement. The first sign of trouble I was aware of was at Dave’s freshman homecoming dance at his high school in Chicago’s…
Chance The Public Servant Takes on Civics Education
I think we all know by now that Mr. Chancelor Bennett, bka Chance the Rapper, is going to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. And one of the most refreshing things about Chance and his commentary is that he, as the Migos would say it, “walks it like he talks it”. Born and raised in Chicago,…
How to GoCPS for Elementary School, Part 2: The Application
Welcome to how to use GoCPS! In case you missed Part One, here’s what to do to get up to speed. Read my earlier blog post and make a list of at least 10 schools you want to apply to for your child. Today’s post (and my Facebook Live webcast) will walk you through the application process itself, so you…
How to GoCPS for Elementary School, Part One
Are you planning to use GoCPS to apply for your child’s elementary school for next year? Well, buckle up, because it’s not easy. The process of choosing schools, applying, and enrolling your child in the Chicago Public Schools is daunting for even the most seasoned of parents. As a Chicago Public Schools graduate, I had dreams of my children attending…
Your Long Thanksgiving Read: Be Many Things
Editor’s Note: Guest author Sean Healy, a Chicago high school administrator and volunteer teacher in Cook County Jail, shares his story, “Be Many Things.” It’s a long read that will remind you of the many possibilities inherent in human beings of all ages. Be Many Things The Cook County Jail’s maximum security division smells like the bathroom of a…
Enyia and Preckwinkle Slay at Mayoral Forum
If you want to know what happened at the Chicago mayoral candidate forum last night, sponsored by a raft of progressive organizations and held at the Chicago Teachers Union offices, you can read the Tweets and even watch the Facebook Live. But if you want to know how the candidates came across to this taxpayer, homeowner and mom of a…